$50,000 Novato bike park donation in limbo as county mulls policy

Hikers walk past the site of a proposed bike park, which will be on a 17-acre area to the right of the dirt road, at Stafford Lake County Park in Novato, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. (IJ photo/Alan Dep)
Alan Dep

Two county supervisors put the brakes on a bike shop's bid for corporate sponsorship of a county park facility, saying reflection about policy issues is needed.

A plan by Mike's Bikes to donate $50,000 to a campaign to build a bike park at Stafford Lake in Novato was abruptly pulled from a consent calendar of routine business this week following questions from Supervisors Katie Rice and Susan Adams.

Rice said later the issue "was not supposed to be on the consent calendar," and with Adams had the item pulled for further review by parks chief Linda Dahl, who was on vacation.

"Policies are pulled off of the board agendas fairly regularly, usually because something is left out or a change is needed," Adams said later in an email without elaborating. "I am sure we will see it before our board again."

One official noted it was the second political misstep by the parks staff in several weeks. Supervisors last month rejected a staff proposal to appoint parks commissioners as the "independent" body overseeing expenditure of $10 million a year in Measure A sales tax revenue, sending it back to the drawing board.

Mike's Bikes, an 11-shop bike chain, which has stores in Sausalito and San Rafael, offered to make a hefty contribution over three years. In return, the commercial enterprise wanted to use the Stafford Park logo in its advertising, put its bike shop logo on the Stafford Lake Bike Park website, post a sign at a bike park ride feature saying "Mike's Bikes skills progression zone," and hold free events there once a year for three years.

"Staff anticipates returning to your board with another substantial sponsorship agreement in the near future," deputy parks chief Ron Miska advised supervisors in a report which included a formal sponsorship agreement.

Not so fast, according to Rice, who noted the board needs to discuss policy issues and consider the consequences before cutting deals with commercial enterprises.

At least one official said the proposal was terrific. "I think it's a great idea," said board president Judy Arnold.

Ken Martin and Matt Adams, owners of the growing bike firm, were not available for comment on the situation.

At it stands, more than 200 donations totaling $34,000 have been made by people in the ongoing fund-raising campaign for the bike park program. In addition, supervisors have pledged a $50,000 "challenge grant" and applied for a $275,000 land and water conservation grant. County supervisors already have provided $182,000 for design and development work by Hilride Progression Development Group.

The master plan calls for a sophisticated network of trails, configurations, challenges, riding zones and stations that can accommodate cyclists of all skill levels.

The facility would be created on a 17-acre northwestern segment of the 139-acre Stafford Lake Park. It will include a kid's learn-to-ride area, "pump" tracks for beginning, intermediate and expert riders, table-top jumps and hip jumps, elevated ladder bridges, a dual slalom track, skill stations and practice areas, a perimeter trail and shaded viewing areas.

Those interested in becoming a donor may call Stephen Petterle, the county's principal park planner, at 473-6394.